OVERSTRETCHED doctors in rural and remote areas are pleading with grey nomads to plan ahead for any medical needs.

As thousands of southerners head north for the winter sun, many GPs fear they may be unable to cope with increased requests for routine care.

The seasonal pressure on resources could bring surgeries to their knees, they warn.

"Access to general practice is already difficult in the off season," Western Australia's Kimberley Division of General Practice chief executive officer Matt Burrows reportedly said.

Doctors advise older caravanners to have a pre-trip check-up and carry a copy of their medical history. They should also have a list of their medications and ensure vaccinations are up to date.

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